Not Guilty of Aggravated UUW in Bridgeview

Out-of-State Resident Charged with Aggravated UUW in Bridgeview – Finding of Not Guilty After Trial

People v. DB -Chicago UUW Attorney, James Dimeas, represented an Indiana resident who had been charged with an Aggravated UUW at the Cook County Courthouse in Bridgeview. The prosecutor refused to drop the charges so the case proceeded to a bench trial. After a full trial, the court found Mr. Dimeas's client not guilty of the Aggravated UUW.

James Dimeas's client was a resident of the State of Indiana. He came to Chicago to visit his grandmother and see a doctor in Chicago. The client testified that he was the legal owner of a firearm in Indiana. He had purchased the firearm for personal protection after a string of burglaries in his neighborhood had occurred. He left his home in Indiana in the early morning. The client testified that he brought his firearm with him because he was afraid to leave it at home in case someone broke into his home and stole the firearm. He placed the firearm in the trunk of his vehicle and drove to Chicago.

The client arrived at his grandmother's home in the morning. Shortly after he arrived his ex-girlfriend arrived and he started arguing with her. At some point the argument became physical and somebody called the police to report a Domestic Battery. After the police arrived, they conducted a short investigation and placed the client under arrest and charged him with a Domestic Battery. As they were placing the client under arrest, a witness approached the police and told them that they had seen him remove a gun from the trunk of his vehicle and take it into his grandmother's house. Another witness informed the police that they had seen the client point the gun at his ex-girlfriend while they were arguing.

The police entered the grandmother's residence and obtained consent from her to search her house. The police searched the grandmother's residence and found a loaded firearm in a dresser in an upstairs bedroom. The police questioned the client and he admitted that the firearm belonged to him. The police charge the client with an Aggravated UUW claiming that he did not have a valid FOID card.

Mr. Dimeas's client was charged with a misdemeanor Domestic Battery. The Domestic Battery carried a potential penalty of up to one year in county jail and a maximum fine of $2,500. The misdemeanor Domestic Battery was eventually dismissed but the state refuse to even discuss resolving the Aggravated UUW unless the client pled guilty and agreed to a prison sentence.

Mr. Dimeas's client was charged with an Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon because he did not possess a valid FOID card and was in possession of a firearm inside a residence. The sole reason he was charged with an Aggravated UUW was because he did not have an FOID card. The state was not alleging that he pointed the gun at anyone. The police did not have a witness who would be able to testify at trial that they saw the client point a gun at anyone. They had used the statements made by the witnesses to justify placing the client under arrest and conducting a search of the grandmother's residence.

The Aggravated UUW charge was a class 4 Felony that carried a potential prison sentence of up to one year in State Prison. Probation is a possibility for a class 4 felony for an Aggravated UUW but the state was unwilling to even discuss an agreement that did not involve jail time. Therefore, the case proceeded to trial.

The entire case came down to the FOID card. In every count alleging the Aggravated UUW crime, the state included the requirement that the client have an FOID card as an essential element to each charge. Mr. Dimeas attacked the allegation made by the state that the client was required to have an FOID card. Mr. Dimeas pointed out that Illinois law contains a specific exception for an FOID for out-of-state residents who are passing through the State of Illinois with their firearm. The client testified that he came to Illinois so he could see a doctor and visit with his grandmother. He admitted that he brought his firearm with him. He also testified that he was planning on returning home that evening so that he could go to work the very next morning. Mr. Dimeas was able to show that the client had a legal right to own a firearm in Indiana and was passing through the State of Illinois. Therefore, he was exempt under the Illinois law which required an FOID card. Mr. Dimeas was able to show the court that because the client was an out-of-state resident, it wasn't possible for him to even obtain an Illinois FOID card.

After hearing all the evidence and the arguments, the court agreed with Mr. Dimeas and found his client not guilty of an Aggravated UUW.

The case was a very difficult and stressful ordeal for the client. The case took well over a year to conclude. The client was required to come to court every month and miss time from work. The client had no criminal record and was looking at the possibility of going to jail and being labeled a convicted felon for the rest of his life.

Highly Experienced UUW Lawyer for Cook County Aggravated UUW Cases

James Dimeas is a nationally-recognized, award-winning, UUW attorney and published author. The National Trial Lawyers have named James Dimeas a "Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer." Expertise named James Dimeas a "Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago." Mr. Dimeas has been named a "Best DUI Attorney." The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys have named James Dimeas a "10 Best Attorney for Client Satisfaction." Recently, the American Society of Legal Advocates named James Dimeas a "Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer In the State of Illinois For the Year 2018." AVVO rates James Dimeas as "Superb", the highest rating possible for any lawyer criminal defense lawyer in the United States.

Free and Confidential Consultation for UUW Cases

If you are being charged with a UUW, or an Aggravated UUW, in Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, or Lake County, you can contact the highly experienced Chicago UUW lawyer, James Dimeas, any time for a free and confidential consultation. You can always talk to James Dimeas by calling him anytime at 847-807-7405.

I got into an argument with my ex-boyfriend. One thing led to another and when he came close to me I pushed him away. He called the police and when I spoke to the police I told them that I pushed him without realizing that you don't have to hit someone to be charged with a Domestic Battery. Being arrested was terrifying. I spoke to several attorneys who promised they would win the case and were charging a ridiculous amount of money. A friend referred me to James Dimeas. He was straightforward and honest with me and charged me a very reasonable and affordable fee. He got me into the Kane County Deferred Prosecution Program. I successfully completed the program and I just received paperwork in the mail that the case has been expunged and completely removed from my record. I highly recommend Jim Dimeas. He is an honest and straightforward lawyer that will look out for your best interests. E.A.

★★★★★

Had a DUI and hired a lawyer who lived in my building that I knew for years and trusted. Thought he was my friend. Paid him (more than I should have) and he handled my case for almost a year and totally screwed it up. I fired him and found out that he had given up his law license around the time I hired him. A friend recommended James to me and he took over my case and handled it the way it should have been handled from the beginning. I cannot stress how HIGHLY I recommend James Dimeas. I wish I would have hired him from day one. He answered all my calls and text messages and cleaned up a royal mess that had been created by the previous guy that I thought was a lawyer. I consider James to be a friend and recommend him to all of my friends. What a great lawyer and an even better guy! J.P.

★★★★★

I had been accused of doing something, by my then wife, that I did not do. I was 100% innocent and was at the lowest point in my life. My mother told me to call James Dimeas. Her friend recommended him to her. James fought for me in court and refused to back down, even when the prosecution offered to lower the charges and make me plead guilty. I refused to plead guilty to something I did not do. The case went to trial and James won my case. I was found not guilty because I was NOT GUILTY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND JAMES DIMEAS! Not only is he a great lawyer, but he is also a great human being. The truth shall set you free! C.D.

★★★★★

James Dimeas is a great lawyer who knows what he is doing and will guide you through every step of the process. He will go above and beyond what he needs to do to help you out. Sometimes I would text him in the evening or the weekend with a question and he would always respond. Really made me feel like he cared about me. When we went to court he tore apart the girl that was making false allegations against me and he won my case. That was one of the greatest day of my life. If you need legal help, the only lawyer should call is James Dimeas. Highly recommended! E.L.

★★★★★

I am so lucky to have stumbled upon this great attorney. I made a really stupid mistake at the worst time. I needed to get a case dismissed within 2 or 3 weeks so I could join the military. I could not leave for Basic Training until the case was dismissed and Jim made some calls and got the case dismissed. What a great guy. I’m so lucky I found him online and called him! Somebody was looking out for me. J.S.

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